U.S. air tragedy: One hour before the disaster. Photos of the figure skating stars among other victims
The U.S. Figure Skating team was on board American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a helicopter in Washington, the sports association confirmed in a statement. A few hours before the crash, the team thanked fans for their support on social media.
An American Airlines plane with 64 people on board collided on Wednesday GMT with a military helicopter while approaching landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and fell into the Potomac River.
The fate of the victims is unknown so far. According to CBS News, 18 fatalities were recovered from the water early in the morning GMT, but authorities have not yet officially confirmed these reports.
In the plane crash near Washington, famous figure skaters were killed. According to media reports, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, world champions, and their son Maxim were on board. Reuters reports that they had been living in the United States since at least 1998, training young skaters there.
The skaters were participating in competitions
Reuters reports that the couple was returning from a competition and travelling with a group of young skaters. The sports association confirmed this information - U.S. Figure Skating.
"U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were on board American Airlines Flight 5342, during which there was a collision with a helicopter in Washington last evening," the statement said.
The plane was flying from Wichita, where the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held. A few hours before the disaster, U.S. Figure Skating had posted photos on social media of smiling skaters with their loved ones and fans.
In the caption, they thanked everyone for their support. "Thank you to the families and fans that came to Wichita or watched at home. We felt the love!" it reads.
Air disaster in the USA
On Wednesday evening, an American Airlines passenger plane with 64 people on board collided with a military UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during the approach to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Both aircraft fell into the Potomac River.
There is a fierce race against time. There are still no official details on the number of fatalities from the air disaster. However, foreign media report that rescue workers have recovered another body from the Potomac River. According to reports, this is the 19th fatality.
